EMPIRE TRADE LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2420, 27 March 1915, Page 26

EMPIRE TRADE LEAGUE

AIMS AND OBJECTS. The formation of the." Empire Tradfl League of New Zealand has been pushed aiiead in Auckland,, where a committee, under the presidency of the Mayor, has been engaged in the work which was brought to a head at this week's public meeting. Tho primary object of the league is to be to confine Empire trade to Empire limits. In furtherance of this object, members of -the league will be asked to "promise to purchase goods only "of British origin and manufacture, showing preference always to those produced within the Dominion." Should certain commodities be unprocurablo froiii British, -sources, members will be required to show preferonco firs£ to the -products of . our present Allies', add,''second, to neutral countries. . Further, members are asked to regulate purchases so as to discountenance the importation of merchandise from present enemy countries: • As soon as the membership roll "justifies action, cach 'member will-be-requir-ed to support tlie executive in the demand for the following legislation:— "The imposition of adequate protection for - New Zealand manufactures, where the same shall be necessary or y- A ; " . I trade arrangements-he-' .tweeii''Great Britain and her Dominions, or between any ,'two or more of them ; and 'for the modification of any laws or treaties which impede freedom ol action' in arranging preferential tariffs within the Empire. ' ; promotion of closer : intercourse between the different portions of/the. Empire % tbo establishment, of -cheaper,' and,..where required, more direct_steam, postaiy 'and telegraphic communication, ■preference being given to routes' not traversing foreign territory." It is further provided that "the lea'guo shall, by the , distribution of printed matter, the delivery of lectures,' or by 'other means designed . to'.bring together the buyer and seller, use every effort to promote the object for which it is' established; that the league shall be; non-political, non-sectarian, and open to "every person in the Dominion, British by birtV or naturalisation, who, cognisant; of old traditions, is anxious to preserve the commercial and national' . supremacy of the British Empire." ;